2.5/10 stars

My full review on my blog (link attached).

I suspect Wesley Chu is a really nice guy, full of unbridled enthusiasm for martial arts and Chinese pop-culture embodied in wuxia. He might be quite knowledgeable in both areas, too – apparently he’s trained in martial arts himself. But sadly, expertise in the above does not translate to the ability of writing good books. The Art of Prophecy has a cool blurb and a truly beautiful cover – and that’s the extent of positives I can dish out for what turned out to be an amazingly spectacular train wreck of a novel.

What was promised to be an “epic fantasy ode to martial arts and magic—the story of a spoiled hero, an exacting grandmaster, and an immortal god-king” was for me an epic slog through mind-numbingly boring and badly written stack of tropes, following paper-thin stereotypes that masqueraded as characters. I don’t deny that Chu had good intentions, that he has his heart in the right place, and that this book had been clearly a labour of love for him. But that is not enough, or, to be more precise, it doesn’t automatically grant writing skills, a knack for dialogue, or even rudimentary plotting abilities. Our hero’s journey follows a lengthy shopping list of tropes and nothing else. Throwing into the mix a set of “strong female characters” in the hopes that this would somehow redeem the blandness of the main protagonist only succeeds in laying down the bare truth that none of the characters in The Art of Prophecy are even remotely fleshed beyond their core trope. A talented spoiled brat who needs to learn humility and trust, check. A fabled tough master with a heart of gold, check. An enemy-to-friend through common hardship, check. A gigantic martial monk with the personality of a baby, check. A martial artist who wanted to become an artist instead and hates violence, check. A hard-as-nails warrior who becomes a leader of her people, check, check, check. I could go on, right to the foxy red-haired lesbian shadow assassin, but what’s the point – just go on TV tropes already and you’ll find the entire list of characters of this book right there. And I don’t even have anything against tropes, really, provided the author does something creative with them. Here, though, the shopping list was the end of the effort. Stereotypical doesn’t even start to cover it, with the main conflict something straight from Mulan – and I’m not talking about historical aspects, but rather the glaring lack of complexity.

I struggled with this book, badly. I was close to DNFing it three times, and ended up reading three or four different books in the meantime. I didn’t care for any of the characters, their tedious adventures and “twists” signalled half a book away. The inept and stilted dialogue hurt my eyes, and the only magic in the book was in how they could also hurt my brain at the same time. I could see the effort the author put into depicting this world and its many wonders, the Sea of Grass and the tall windswept cliffs of so many Chinese legends. But the language was awkward, and the sentences strung together adequately conveyed their meaning but felt short of evoking any emotion. I ended up dreading the long descriptions of fights that somehow managed to be totally uninteresting even despite all that mythical martial prowess of the warriors engaged in them. Reading through The Art of Prophecy was a chore, and to be frank it saddens me, because the idea behind this novel and the clear enthusiasm of the author for martial arts were something to be cherished and cheered on.

[...]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.

I adored this book. It was one of my top reads this year with excelent world building, characters i both loved and hated and rich world buidling. This is a book i look forward to recomending

I really wanted to love this. I read 50% but it was just too slow for me. The characters bugged me, I didn’t particularly care for where there story arc’s were progressing enough to try and stick out the last 50% of the book.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy

THIS IS SUCH AN ENTERTAINING BOOK. I love every pages of this book. Wesley Chu created a bunch of lively characters and I love them all. Jian definitely is not typical chosen one and Taishi is a perfect master for him.

The martial arts is detailed and I can easily imagine how they fight.

And don't forget the golden comedy. One of the best reads I read this year

This book was incredible! I found it hard to put down as the book was so well written, full of adventure, amazing world building and page turning fight scenes. Each POV was just as interesting as the next, and I loved reading about every character. One of my favourite books of this year. 5 stars!

I think I am setting on a three-star for this story... I was hoping the last few chapters would give a hint at what the rest of the series would be about but apparently not. There is no drive really for me to pick up the sequel which is a shame cause I had good moments with this book.

I won't spend much time talking about the plot details, whether I liked them or not, talk about the main cast or anything like that. I think the summary actually gives you a good indication of what to expect and "martial arts fantasy series" is a perfect tagline. I enjoyed the story (and how prevalent women were!) and getting a first look into this world.
This book stands out to me for two reasons:
1. the humor. I was genuinely laughing out loud a few times. Taishi in particular, is just an old, disabled woman who has no time for anyone's shit and I loved every minute. There is a lightheartedness in many scenes, we poke fun at the rules and regulations that often exist in martial arts media (some for no obvious reason), and Jian gets humbled a lot. It really worked for me and fit the atmosphere of the entire novel.
2. the fight scenes. I genuinely felt like I was watching an action movie reading some of these fights and this is coming from someone with aphantasia - this doesn't really happen to me. Chu struck a great balance between describing the moves in detail and painting a wider picture when necessary to really make these characters flow across the page. His rhythm coordinating the players and the fact that he did not overindulge in those epic fights made the few we witness all the better.

The one downside I found (or a plus point depending on how you like your plot) was the meandering storylines. We have so many different POVs but as soon as the first plot twist in Arc 1 passes, everything goes out the window - and no one really knows what they should be doing next? So instead of working towards an end goal, the reader just follows these people making decisions at the drop of the head with no apparent consideration of the future. I don't want to call it boring but it drags the pace down when not a single storyline is pushing the external plot forward. It made me less interested in continuing since I could not tell why I should care for what boils down as a lot of filler with characters I don't know all that well yet.

Please see my post for review.

Blog tour - http://ramblingmads.uk/2023/04/24/blog-tour-the-art-of-prophecy-wesley-chu/

A truly staggering fantasy, I couldn't put this down once I started reading. It's sharp, complex, funny, with beautifully drawn characters and a huge amount of heart. I loved this.

I read the synopsis of this book and immediately had very high expectations.
A fresh new eastern take on fantasy in our bookstores, including an innovatice approach to the whole idea of a "prophecised hero"? Count me in!
As a adolescent, I read so many books where there was a chosen one that I couldn't stand the cliché anymore and avoided every book where the "chosen one" or a "propchecy" were even mentioned on the back of the cover. After a long time I dared to approach the theme again - and I was richly rewarded.
The book is about a prophecised hero, determined to save his land and his people - except he's not. The evil Eternal Khan is slain, while being drunk, by a common foot soldier. What about the prophecy? Was it wrong? What is his purpose in life now? Moreover, the teachings in the arts of war he received from his many masters were more ornamental than practical and actually useful.
The book is also about Taishi, a master of martial arts lost in misery of having lost a loved one (?), maybe finding a new purpose in her life, if she then so choses to seize it.
It also is about Sali, a striking warrior of the Katuia, Will of the Khan, mighty Viperstrike. After having lost the leader of her people, not only she is lost. She has to find a new purpose in her life, maybe different from the one everyone expects her to adhere to.
And it is a book about Qisami, an assassin liking killing and women maybe a little too much for her own good, more than verging on craziness.
I loved all the characters and their stories, each one getting a well-written development and their own time in the book. The only downside I found in this work was the continuous change of perspective after every chapter, sometimes wishing I could stay longer with especially Jian and Taishi, my absolute favourites!
I can't wait for the next book in this series!!

"The Art of Prophecy" by Wesley Chu is a captivating book that seamlessly combines elements of fantasy and philosophy. Set in a world of magic and political intrigue, Chu takes readers on an exhilarating journey through time and destiny. The story revolves around Alex Verus, a diviner with the ability to see possible futures, as he grapples with prophecies that shape his fate and the lives of those around him. Chu's masterful storytelling, vivid world-building, and thought-provoking exploration of the concept of prophecy make this a must-read for fans of the genre. Despite a few predictable plot twists and occasional pacing issues, "The Art of Prophecy" is an engrossing novel that challenges readers' perceptions of free will and the power of choice. Prepare to be enthralled by a riveting tale that will leave you pondering its themes long after you've finished reading

Well, this book is truly giving wuxia! I live for wuxia dramas (albeit usually romantic fantasy ones) but this one had aaalll the hallmarks I’ve come to expect! There’s epic fight scenes, an expansive, elaborate world and an intriguing cast of characters!

It’s also got the steady pace that builds up said world and moves things into place ready for things to really get started in the next book! This is the first arc of the story, if you will, in which we’re introduced to each of the main characters and they find themselves truly set on the path they’re meant to be.

This build up and setting of the scene is necessary to introduce the reader to the vivid, imaginative settings as well as to the world and how things currently stand within it. To see the changes slowly slide into place ready to take things to the next level.

The character development is also incredibly necessary, at least in one case: Jian. I’ll be honest he’s massively unlikeable at the beginning and I was like ‘oh boy, this books a chonker and I’m only one chapter in but I already want to smack him one’.

I’d say that it’s Jian, more than the others that needs some serious development like he had quite the journey to go on but he drastically needed to be humbled. Being the prophesied hero really went to his head, which wasn’t really his fault but it sure made him infuriating. Like, I wanted to reach into the pages and throttle him at least twice.

That’s the beauty of Chu’s writing and his character development because slowly but surely, Jian got me on side and I could begin to like him ready for the next phase of his journey! I feel like each main character had a tribulation to overcome and realisations to come to in order to step into their best self ready for what comes next!

My only gripe is the previously mentioned steady pace as I did find myself taking a break from reading every now and then but other than that it’s such a rich story with a lot of imaginative aspects to it and intriguing characters!

It’s also funny af too, like I lost count of the amount of times I snorted and chuckled reading this!

I’m excited to see what’s next for everyone!

My favourite character has to be Taishi. She's brash and brutal and overall a badass. My only complaint about this book is the lack of detail on the world map - when there's a map included I like to use it to follow the character's journeys, but practically none of the locations in this book were included on the map so I got a little confused trying to work out where they all were. I loved the narrative flips between Jian, Taishi, Qisami and Sali as they all underwent their own journeys and battles. I'm looking forward to the next book!

One of the best fantasy books I have read this year. I was a little worried at the beginning as the writing was a little dense at times, but it definitely evened out and I ended up loving it. My favourite character was Taishi, fantasy needs more older, dangerous female characters and the humor woven into the writing really helped round out the story. I cannot wait for book 2!

I didn't dislike this book, at all.
But I also didn't love it, and I wanted to, so much. Being a massive fan of wuxia novels - especially danmei - and dramas, I on tenterhooks when I started reading, and though the first chapters didn't really grab me, I enjoyed them enough to not quit. My main problem, I think, was that I found the characters very... disinteresting? I'm more character than plot driven, and to me, this book is the exact opposite - the characters felt just that, characters in a story, not larger than life entities I needed to keep reading about to satisfy hunger and curiosity. I also kind of disliked some of the terms used (war arts standing for martial arts, but then not bothering to coin another term for Khan, for example) and found the book a tad too long, given the numerous voices featured.
I did like Jian, he was the least cardboardy character in the whole book, and I loved Taishi as well, for everything about her, basically. Meehae and Xinde weren't bad either, but they had little room to develop and their voices were muffled under the roar of what to me were less interesting characters like Salminde - who started out promising but slowly became less poignant through the narrative - and Qisami, who frankly, i couldn't see much of a point to other than your basic queer character that is inserted in the story for the sake of... well, being there. She had very little essence to herself and her voice was somewhat dismissive.
I did like the plot and the ending left me very curious as to what comes next, as this one was sufficiently entertaining to keep me reading it.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for providing me with an ARC copy of this novel. My opinions are my own.

Jian is The Chosen One! The champion of the Five Under Heaven. Destined to be the great hero who fights the Immortal Khan and end the war with the never ending horse.

Right, stop me if you think that you’ve heard this one before.

That's what I thought too. However, I soon found that this was not the case.

I am not going to go into the plot much because this is one that definitely is a case of the less you know, the better.

The story centres around Jian, the Champion under Heaven, Taishi, a ducal advisor who is sent to assess the training of the prophesized hero and Sali, the Soul of the Khan, who also happens to be on the side, but she's not evil. And she knows she's not evil because she did not kill that dog! Have you got it? She did not kill that dog (be aware that there is no actual harm to any animals)

I have to say, this book surprised me. In fact, it constantly surprised and confounded me. Never once did it actually go in any of the directions that I expected.

I thought this book is just wonderful with its mix martial arts, comedy, topsy turvy story and brilliant characters.

Like I said nothing is expected. The champion of the Five under Heaven is a proper pain in the arse. Taishi is just amazing. She's an older woman who is gruff and dislikes everyone, but has a heart of gold. Not only that, she is a master of martial arts and an amputee, and Sali is equally as fascinating, and one of my favourite arcs in the story.

If, like me, you grew up on a diet of martial arts, I think you will definitely enjoy this book as there is a definite ode to these kind of films.

Don't get me wrong, the book is not perfect, and, for me some of my criticism centres around the fight scenes as each and every move is named, which I found at times did get in the way of the action, and I promptly forgot what they were.

The other thing that took me time to get to grips was the world building. The story takes place in an alternative China. I initially believed that it was a mediaeval, feudal China, but with the addition of some form of mechanisation. However, there is a scene later in the book which kind of changes my outlook, which seemingly changed the dynamic as it changed it to a 1930's kind of alternative China, albeit, still feudal, well, more warlord.

I really enjoyed this book. The way it upended my expectations and made the Chosen One trope refreshing rather than treading old ground.

*DNF at page 245 of 490.

I rarely DNF books and I really try not to for books I have been given to review on Netgalley. That being said, I did give this book a good go, but seeing as it is part of a projected series and I have no interest in any of the characters whatsoever, I did not see the point in continuing.

The art of prophecy is a book about what happens when a prophecy is presumed wrong and what happens to the characters after. I presume that the prophecy ends up still being true and there are just hiccups along the way, but I didn’t find the story interesting enough to continue to find out. The story follows multiple characters - namely a grizzled female war master with a disability, the child who was prophesied to be a legendary war hero and an assassin who is supposed to be part of the deceased villains soul, who is meant to return to the holy place to sacrifice herself so the villain can be reincarnated.

It is fantasy, but the fantasy element is quite low key and limited to unbelievable martial arts moves and the belief in prophecies and reincarnation. It could be read as a more alternate-historical novel set in old China, or as an alternate fantasy universe.

Maybe it is personal preference that left me not enjoying this, but this is a plot driven novel rather than character driven and the plot moves very slowly at that. Enough that I got bored and I didn’t feel any connection to any of the characters. Maybe it’s just too far out of my comfort zone, I tend to prefer fantasy written by female authors and some level of intrigue, miscommunication or romance and there are none of these.

I think this novel would appeal to readers that like a martial based traditional fantasy novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the eARC of The Art of Prophecy.

I loved this book so much I bought the special edition from Waterstones.
This novel was so vivily described and created so well that I just fell into the storyline. The characters were so rich and believable, I really liked them and they brought the storyline and the world together. I loved the martial art side of things too, which for me was an enjoyable read as I don't usually pick that type of subject to read, but with it all wrapped up in a fantastical world it really worked.
I really enjoyed this book.

CHARACTERS
🔲 mary-sue party
🔲 mostly 2D
🔲 great main cast, forgettable side characters
🔲 well-written
✅ complex and fascinating
🔲 hard to believe they are fictional

PLOT
🔲 you've already heard this exact story a thousand times
🔲 nothing memorable
🔲 gripping
✅ exceptional
🔲 mind=blown

WORLDBUILDING
🔲 takes place in our world
🔲 incoherent
🔲 OK
🔲 nicely detailed
✅ meticulous
🔲 even the last tree in the forest has its own story

ATMOSPHERE
🔲 nonexistent
🔲 fine
🔲 immersive
✅ you forget you are reading a book

PACING
🔲 dragging
🔲 inconsistent
🔲 picks up with time
🔲 page-turner
✅ impossible to put down

This was the best book I've read in a while.

Do you ever just read the first chapter of a book and immediately know that it's gonna be five stars? Yup, that's what happened with me and this novel.

The Art of Prophecy is the start to an Asian-inspired epic fantasy series which turned the chosen one trope to its head - and did that in an ingenious and captivating way. Honestly, I only have good things to say about this book so I guess this review might be a bit boring 😄

The character-work was superb. The two main characters were both complex and flawed, and their interactions were fun and heartwarming at the same time. I especially loved how they grew throughout the novel, both as people, and both as a group. The side-characters were equally fascinating, coming from very different backgrounds they gave the much needed perspective to the war this story covers.

The plot was also just amazing. While the original setup of having a centuries long war wasn't anything new, how the different sides were portreyed and how the plotlines intertwined was brilliant. I really can't wait to find out how the story will continue after this banger of a start.

Another strong point of the novel was the incredible pacing. It was full of action, and had just enough room to breath between the bigger plotpoints to make it unputdownable. This is like a 500 pages long book and I read it in literally two days, I just couldn't think about anything else than reading.

If I would have to really pick a weak point, it would be the world-building. While there were parts of this world that I found wonderfully inventive, the location where most of the plot happens was a bit underwhelming. But really, this is just nitpicking.

The sequel to this amazing book is coming out later this year, so this is the perfect time for you to pick this up. If you love action-packed fantasy with great characters, this might be a new favourite for you - just as it was for me.

The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu is a thrilling and thought-provoking fantasy novel that delves into the concept of destiny, choice, and the true meaning of heroism. Set in a world where prophecies hold immense power, the story follows Wen Jian, who is believed to be the Chosen One destined to defeat the immortal Eternal Khan and save the kingdom.

Chu masterfully explores the notion that prophecies do not make heroes but rather choose them. As Wen Jian falls short of fulfilling the prophecy, he is faced with the challenge of forging his own path to greatness. This exploration of self-determination and the ability to defy expectations forms the core of the narrative and adds a layer of depth to the traditional hero's journey.

The characters in AoP are complex and multifaceted, each struggling with their own desires, loyalties, and destinies. Wen Jian, in particular, is a compelling protagonist who evolves throughout the story, questioning his role and the true nature of his purpose. His journey is filled with internal conflicts and external obstacles that challenge his beliefs and force him to confront difficult choices.

Chu's writing style is engaging and immersive, transporting readers into a richly imagined world filled with magic, political intrigue, and epic battles. The action sequences are vividly described, capturing the intensity and adrenaline of the conflicts. The world-building is intricate and detailed, offering a unique blend of Eastern mythology and Western fantasy elements that add depth and richness to the story.

One of the strengths of this novel lies in its exploration of larger themes. Beyond the hero's personal journey, the novel touches on the power of belief, the manipulation of prophecies for personal gain, and the consequences of blind faith. Chu prompts readers to question the notion of predetermined destiny and the importance of individual agency in shaping one's path.

While the book is filled with captivating ideas and a compelling storyline, there are moments where the pacing feels uneven. Some sections may feel slower compared to others, potentially affecting the overall momentum of the narrative. However, this minor issue does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book.

The Art of Prophecy is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy and philosophical exploration. Wesley Chu weaves a tale that transcends the traditional tropes of prophecy-driven narratives, delivering a thought-provoking and exciting story that will leave readers contemplating the nature of fate and the power of personal choice. With its well-developed characters, immersive world-building, and captivating themes, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Art of Prophecy by Wesley Chu takes readers on an exhilarating adventure filled with unexpected twists and a fresh take on the chosen one trope, which is always a nice refresher when you're an avid sci-fi/fantasy reader. In this captivating fantasy novel, the protagonist, Jian, finds himself in a challenging situation when he realizes that the prophecy he was destined to fulfill is incorrect. Now he must forge his own path to greatness and discover how he can still save the kingdom.

The strength of this story lies in its well-developed characters. Jian, despite being raised in luxury and celebrated as the Chosen One, faces the reality of his situation with determination and resilience. His journey to redefine what it means to be a hero and find his true purpose is both relatable and inspiring. The supporting characters, including Taishi, Sali, and Qisami, bring additional depth to the narrative with their unique perspectives and personal journeys. Together, they form an unlikely band of heroes who must navigate a world where prophecies are not always accurate.

Wesley Chu's writing is engaging and propels the story forward at a captivating pace. The world-building is immersive, with richly detailed settings and a diverse range of cultures and characters. The author skillfully weaves together themes of destiny, identity, and the power of choices, creating a thought-provoking exploration of the human spirit.

This book is a refreshing departure from traditional prophecies and chosen one narratives. It challenges the notion that heroes are solely defined by predetermined destinies, highlighting the importance of personal agency and the ability to shape one's own fate. The book is filled with thrilling action sequences, heartfelt moments, and unexpected surprises that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

AoP is a captivating and thought-provoking fantasy novel that offers a fresh perspective on the tropes of prophecy and destiny. Wesley Chu's masterful storytelling, well-drawn characters, and immersive world-building make this book a must-read for fans of epic adventures and those seeking a new take on classic fantasy themes.